Jared POV

"What do you care? It's not like your dad would want you dating a Valley girl anyway," Blaine was right but I didn't like it.

I huffed and laid back on the huge bean bag chair he had in his room, looking at the ceiling. "Yeah," I didn't have it in me to argue after Debbie cornered me when I was trying to leave. She started a screaming match and I felt embarrassed about it. I hated how crazy she and her friends made me.

She had said stuff about how I should thank her because it wouldn't do me any good to be around Valley trash and I snapped, telling her I didn't give a shit about her opinion. I ran a hand over my face. I get that the Valley is disgusting. Just because I like Susie doesn't mean I was gunna give up my life and move down there. I still liked being part of a rich and successful lifestyle. I still liked having clean clothes and clean water. I couldn't do a factory job unless I ran one like my dad did.

"Besides ya know how Valley trash is," Blaine went on, throwing darts on the opposite side of the room. "They hate us cause we have everything so much better. She'd just blow ya off, callin ya a spoiled brat just because your dad's loaded and your mom doesn't work. And your cunt sister isn't gunna help any,"

I snorted a laugh at that last comment. A couple years back Blaine had a huge thing for my sister and asked her out. She was a nightmare of course. He had figured she'd be different from the other Debbie's because of the incident she had where she was ugly as hell for a while. But since she'd been back on the Hills, she'd become even more determined to make a boundary between the high class and rock bottom.

Then it clicked.

"That's right," I spoke up, struck with sudden motivation I'd never felt before. "That's right!" I bolted up, grinning. Blaine looked at me like I was nuts and I rambled on. "She thinks I'm a spoiled brat! Of course she does! I haven't done a single damn thing on my own!"

Blaine frowned at me. "Well yeah, why would you?"

"No! That's not gunna work! I have to do something! I have to get to work and make something of my life! That will show her I'm not my dad!" I grabbed my jacket and rushed to hug Blaine before bolting out of his house. As I peeled out of the driveway, I grinned and started making plans. I had an address book full of my connections made through my dad. But instead of using it to get freebies or something, I could use it for good! I could do something to make things better!

Maybe then Susie will know how serious I am about her.

Ooooo

Susie POV

As I sat in Milo's treehouse the next day, I couldn't pay attention to anything Peggy said. I just drifted off onto thoughts of what happened the day before. I frowned. I didn't say anything about what happened with Mr. Klimer because I didn't know how to explain what he had said to me. What did he mean bringing up Jared like that? It wasn't like his son was serious about dating me. I was just something exotic and new.

I sighed quietly, the sound drowned out by Milo and Mikey laughing at something Helga said. I could still dream about what it would be like.

It wasn't that Jared was rich. I liked that he was confident and upfront. Sure he was a bit of a brute, but I appreciated that he was no-nonsense. Whether he was born poor or rich, I feel like Jared would have been just as confident.

I always drifted to thoughts of what it would be like to see a softer side of the blonde. I smiled as I was swept away with the fantasy of being in those arms, the scent of his cologne surrounding me.

But that wouldn't happen. Wake up, Susie.

I was broken from my thoughts when Peggy announced the end of the club meeting. I said goodbye to everyone and moved to leave the treehouse. As I waked to the front yard, I waved at Mr. Oblong, seeing him hosing the front yard with the hose in his mouth, a cheerful smile on his face like always.

I always did love his sunny demeanor. It was such a contrast with my own pessimism. It was refreshing. I was about to walk home when I saw Mrs. Oblong step into the front yard, lighting a cigarette. She leaned down and pressed a kiss against Mr. Oblong's forehead, making his smile widen.

I felt a smile appear on my own face at the display. While I didn't have much faith in anything happening between myself and Jared that could be called a relationship, I was happy that there was a chance of couples finding love across the classes. I could see Milo or Peggy finding love with a Hill family. Milo had a way about him that made so many people like him and Peggy's knowledge of politics would surely land her a husband that could look past her deformity.

I strode home, my eyes running over the houses and people. I sighed. So many things could be better if we had a way to change them. If only the soil and water weren't so poisoned…. It wouldn't have led to so many health problems… I couldn't help but hold a little resentment that Valley people were only allowed to be promoted to certain levels since Hill people didn't want to associate with us more than they had to.

I wonder where I could live where I had more of a chance. Would a highschool diploma from this town even amount to anything anywhere else? Maybe I should leave before I got any older. But where would I go? What would I do?

I had passions but no one was interested in investing anything in someone like me. The only good thing that would come of my background would be it a tragic backstory that may get me a few grants or scholarships. But I had no interest in more schooling.

The quiet air was broken with the curious chatter of townspeople and the rumbling of machinery. Curious, I made my way over to where the crowd was gathered, trying to figure out where the ruckus came from. Forcing my way though, I felt my jaw nearly drop.

Was that Jared Klimer covered in mud and barking orders? What was he doing?!

Oooooo

Finally a post!